Slate-cleaning device



(No Model.)

` B.A.LEGG

SLATE CLEANING DEVICE.

Patented' Jan. 3, 1893.

NiTED PATENT FFICE.

BENJAMIN A. LEGG, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SLATE-CLEANING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 489,152, dated January 3, 1893. Application led October 24, 1892. Serial No. 449,789. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN A. LEGG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Slate-Oleaning Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a novel and especially convenient slate-cleansing device in the form of a combined moistener and wiper devsedbothforeffacing theslate-pencilmarks by the application of moisture, and immediately thereafter drying the consequent wet surface of the slate.

I-Ieretofore, ithas been the common practice in vogue among school-children to erase the slate-pencil marks by wetting the fingers or other portion. of the hand with saliva and thus obliteratin g the matter on the slate. This method is exceedingly inconvenient and obj ectionable in that it soils the han ds and wristbands, besides, often leaving the slate-surface in a greasy and uncleanly condition. Again, a slight improvement upon this aforesaid method consists in having a wet sponge attached to the slate by a string or cord. Such fixture, however, is also inconvenient and inadequate for the purpose since no provision is made for subsequently drying the slate except thatof wiping it with a cloth orto await evaporation, either of which occasions loss of time and veXation. Accordingly, it is the object of my improvement to obviate and over come the objections above noted by providing a single device which can be readily and effectively employed for the purposes of first thoroughly wetting the slate-surface, and then immediately drying the same. Moreover, to produce a device of this character small in size and compass and convenient in form so as to be readily carried either separate from the slate or attached thereto as preferred,- and furthermore, to make the same cheap in its cost of manufacture and simple and durable in use whereby it can be procured at a comparatively insignificant cost and can be utilized for an indefinite length of time.

For the attainment of these objects and for other purposes hereinafter enumerated, my invention comprises, in brief, a holder of convenient size and shape arranged and constructed to receive and hold a sponge or other absorbent material at one end, and provided at its opposite extremity with a tuft of some suitable fabric, texture or web, such as separated strands of wicking.

My invention consists further in a specific construction of section al andseparable holder, and in certain other details of structure, arrangement and combination of parts, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter and the speciiic points of novelty in which will be designated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown certain features deemed sufficient for carrying out my invention successfully in practice; however, it will be manifest that minor changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as long as such changes and variations are within the domain and scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of this speciiicatioiu-Eigure l is a View in elevation showing the invention in completed and operative form. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a transverse or cross-section taken on a plane indi* cated by the line x-oc Fig. l.

Like letters of reference indicate like or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

A represents the holder, made of some suitable cheap wood, and of the required dimensions and size for the purposes to be subserved. This holder approximates an ellipse in general outline, its entire exterior being smooth and curved, as clearly shown. Thus, as regards the cost of manufacture, they can be quickly and very cheaply made, requiring only to be\turned into shape on a common Wood-lathe. or tubular and is made into two halves or sections, B, B', arranged to fit snugly together with their exterior surfaces conforming to a common curvature. In the center of the end of the section, B, is formed a circular opening, C, less in diameter than that of the iuterior bore of said section. Through the opening, C, is inserted the sponge, D, of required Each holder is interiorly hollow IOC size and shape. When such sponge is first introduced into position through said opening a prescribed distance within the bore as shown, it is in a dry or cured state so that when saturated with water the inner projecting portion will swell and remain expanded sufliciently to prevent any tendency of displacement resulting from ordinaryT usage. At certain intervals around the periphery of the section, B, are cut four circular apertures, E, E, located near the outer end thereof and designed to permit the entrance ot' water therethrough to saturate the interior portion of the sponge whereby the moisture may be retained in the sponge, D, for a greater length of time, since the absorption by the exterior part will be comparatively slow owing to the intervening compressed state of the sponge in the contracted opening, C. Furthermore, ,the apertures, E, E, serve to additionally tix the sponge in the holder as small portions, a, a, of the latter project into said apertures, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The section, B', is provided with a uniform bore, F, slightly less in diameter than that of the section, B, said bore extending clear through the outer endwall, H, to allow introduction of the pressed compact ends of the strands composing the tutt, G, which ends tightly tit into the bore, running back the entire length of the latter, and are glued or otherwise fastened therein. As before stated, this tuft G is made of separate strands of wicking or other equivalent material capable of quickly drying the surface of the slate, and permitting the moisture thus absorbed to quickly evaporate leaving the tut't dry, again ready for use. The two sections, B, B, are fitted together by means of the inner reduced neck of the section, B', so formed by a peripheral recess, l, of a depth equal to the thickness of the wall of the section, B, and located on the inner adjacent edge of the section, B. Thus, the section,B, will slip over and overlap the reduced neck, J, of the section, B, and will fit tightly up against the shoulder, K. If desired, the sections can be fastened together in any suitable manner such as by screw-threading the exterior of the neck, J, and also the overlapping portion of the interior surface of the wall of the section, B; however, no fastening means are shown since, in practice, l find that a sufficiently tight joint can be effected without employing any auxiliary fastener. Owing to the curved shape of the holder, A, it can be readily grasped by hand and either end presented for use.

The device can be adapted for other purposes than described,such for instance, as an appliance for cleansing mirrors or other like surfaces.

Having thus fully and accurately described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. A slate-cleansing device comprising a suitable holder provided with a continuous longitudinal bore extending clear through the same and having a fluid absorbent material in one extremity and a wiping tuft in the opposite end, for the purposes set forth.

2. A slate cleansing device comprising a suitable holder having a sponge secured at one extremity and awiping tuft composed of strands of wicking at the opposite end, and capable of absorbing the moisture yet permitting the same to rapidly evaporate for the purposes set forth.

3. A slate-cleansing device comprising a suitable holder provided with a continuous longitudinal bore running clear through the same made in sections removably fitted together, one section holding a sponge and the' other a wiping-tutt, for the purposes specified.

4. A slate-cleansing device comprising a Yholder made in two sections, each section having an interior bore and an end-opening communicating with said bore; a sponge secured in the end-opening of one section; and a wiping-tutt in the end-opening of the other section, as set forth.

5. The combination with the section, B,hav ing an interior bore and an end-opening communicating with said bore; the wall of sa'id section being perforated at intervals; and a sponge inserted and held in said end-opening; of the section, B', having the bore, F, and the reduced neck, J; and the tuft of wicking fastened therein, as described.

In testimony whereof` l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- BENJAMIN A. ALEGrGr.

Witnesses:

ALBERT J. WALKER, Jas. J. MCAFEE. 

